Commercial Financial Controller

Your Role

Key role as Financial Controller for the UK & Ireland part of the business, reporting into the Business Head CFO. A broad-based Finance role, spanning core financial controls, driving business strategy and commercial performance management and helping to lead the business' ambitious transformation agenda. Leading a team of 4 and also leveraging the business' Shared Services and group functions spanning Supply Chain Finance, Treasury and Tax.

Main Responsibilities:-

Controls, Accounting & Governance

• Develop, implement and monitor strong internal control environment across all business end-to-end processes
• Safeguard adherence to all company policies and processes
• Active risk management with a focus on driving key actions
• Maintain integrity of the Balance Sheet, ensuring clear management ownership and regular management reviews
• Manage record to Report (including month-end and year-end close), Purchase to Pay and Order to Cash processes, including Credit management, pricing and claims management
• Local tax compliance and reporting, in conjunction with local advisers
• Lead statutory reporting process, in conjunction with local advisers
• Lead statutory audit process and reporting, managing relationship with external auditors
• Support Internal Audit team and drive full implementation of any recommendations
• Manage local statutory insurance programmes
• Review and approve monthly payroll and non-payroll employee tax requirements, in conjunction with local HR team

Performance Management and Driving Sustainable Profitable Growth

• Ownership of full P&L and responsible for steering delivery of Revenue and Operating Profit
• Provide analytics and insights to drive business performance and inform pricing, investment and innovation decisions
• Drive robust cost and investment control/budget management and embed Return on Investment approach (Net Revenue Management, Marketing Return on Investment)
• Liaise with Supply Chain Finance to understand cost trends and capital investment requirements
• Steer monthly/quarterly forecasting cycle to produce robust forecast and clear decisions/actions/trade-offs
• Develop long-term financial plan aligned to strategic objectives and priorities

Cash Management

• Oversee cash forecasting process and steering delivery of cash conversion and working capital
• Drive visibility and understanding of cash drivers and required actions across UKI business

Change Management & Separation

• Ensure effective local implementation of Transition Service Agreements (TSAs) in conjunction with Unilever management
• Provide Finance leadership to significant TSA exits. Define and implement Finance processes and ways of workings post-exit
• Provide Finance leadership to systems separation from Unilever and effective and smooth UKI implementation

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage, lead and develop team of 4 Finance Managers/Analysts. Provide direction, support and coaching to develop individual and team capabilities to effectively support business in delivery of growth and transformation strategy, whilst maintaining a robust and embedded controls environment

Skills and Capabilities Required

• Professional Accounting qualification and solid Financial reporting and controls skill-set
• Commercial business partnering experience with proven ability to deliver results
• Experience of direct line management
• Proven ability to work in a multi-functional organisation with varied stakeholders (seniority, functional mix)
• Strong leadership, strategic influencing and communication skills
• Delivery-focussed with a high degree of ownership and a positive, growth mindset
• Collaborative and team-orientated mindset
• Resilience and ability to manage and navigate through change and uncertainty
• Insurgent mindset and passion to identify and deliver profitable, growth opportunities